Chris's blog

When you think of the innovative companies behind your favorite smartphone apps, chances are you don’t think of the Social Security Administration. But with the recent launch of the SSA’s “Baby Name Playroom” app, the association of the two is destined to be more common. This, along with the administration’s presence on popular sites such as Youtube, Facebook and Twitter, is a small example of the SSA’s increasing interest in finding new ways of using technology to become more efficient and client-friendly.

There is much debate about the concept of privatization of Social Security. In general, Democrats tend to oppose it while Republicans are for it, while both parties agree that something needs to be done because the Social Security System is projected to start running on a deficit somewhere between the year 2013 and 2037. Such a deficit will adversely affect both retirement and disability benefits payments for beneficiaries.

The Social Security Law Group, LLP, is a Boston-based law firm that assists clients in the application process for SSI or SSDI benefits from the Social Security Administration. Their decision this March to file a class action lawsuit against the Social Security Administration is based on their growing frustration with what they claim is the SSA’s violation of two key acts – the Freedom of Information Act, and the 1974 Privacy Act.

It is too easy for mistakes to occur when paper checks are being sent in the mail. Whether it be misdirected mail, wrong addresses, or theft, there are many worst case scenarios where Social Security benefits do not make it to the beneficiary. Every year, thousands of checks are reported as lost or stolen, amounting to millions of dollars.

This year, the Republican GOP has proposed significant cuts in the Social Security Administration’s 2011 budget, an action that has sparked heated debates, sending House Democrats and defenders of the Social Security program into an outrage spun with fear.

The “trial work period” is a nine-month state of grace given by the Social Security Administration to any disability benefits recipient who wants to attempt re-entry to the work force. A disability benefits recipient has nine months of trial work period in each period of 60 months.

The Social Security Administration periodically reviews cases every three or seven years depending on the severity of the condition, likelihood of improvement and the age of the claimant. This process is known as a Continuing Disability Review, and its purpose is to see if the claimant has experienced a change in their living circumstances. These reviews are carried out by employees of the Disability Determination Services and will include an examination by a doctor.

Each and every year, more than two-million people apply for Social Security Disability benefits. Unfortunately, the majority of these applications are denied at the initial stage of the application process. In fact, as many as 70 percent of disability applications are denied by the Social Security Administration. Oftentimes this is due to mistakes on the part of the disability applicant.

Almost all US citizens who are above 65 years old seem to know that Medicare is an encompassing insurance system that is ready to provide them medical services and benefits at low costs. However, not all younger Americans know that the program, through Social Security Disability, can also be their lifeline. It appears that Medicare does not work as well for the 8 million younger enrollees.

Although it has been reported that the economy is slowly getting better after some turbulent times, Social Security Disability claims are still on the rise. Why is the Social Security Administration receiving more and more claims for disability benefits? Why was there an increase of 21-percent for disability applications between 2008 and 2009? Even more importantly, what does this increasing number of disability claims mean for disability applicants?